Lionel Messi has been included in Argentina’s squad for the October international break, despite announcing his retirement from international football last month.
The 39-year-old forward is expected to make a farewell appearance when Argentina face Benin Republic at the Estadio Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The match will give Argentine fans the chance to say goodbye to their captain on home soil before he finally ends his international career.
Messi’s last competitive appearance for Argentina came on July 19, when the team faced Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain, missing the chance to win the World Cup for a second consecutive time. Messi scored eight goals during the tournament.
The upcoming match against Benin Republic will allow the Inter Miami star to have one final appearance in front of his home supporters.
### Messi’s Remarkable International Career
Messi has enjoyed a record-breaking career with Argentina since making his senior debut against Hungary in August 2005.
He is Argentina’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, with 125 goals in 207 appearances.
The forward has also helped Argentina win four major international trophies.
His honours include the 2021 and 2024 Copa América titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Messi also scored 21 goals in 34 World Cup appearances across six consecutive tournaments from 2006 to 2026.
The farewell against Benin Republic is expected to mark the end of one of the longest and most successful international careers in football history.
